Strap applying tool

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to an improved strap tensioning and cutoff tool provided with selectively interchangeable strap receiving and cutoff assemblies releasably securable adjacent the extending nose portion thereof, each assembly being preferably arranged to accept a particular type of bundling strap, wherein a single tool may be advantageously cooperably employed with a variety of different bundling straps. Each selectively interchangeable assembly comprises a removable, slotted-head strap twisting member having suitable shear means therein and a releasable, matingly cooperable, cuplike slotted cover member encompassing the head portion of the strap twisting member, and coaxial therewith.

United States Patent Farkas et a1.

[ 51 Mar. 14, 1972 [54] STRAP APPLYING TOOL [72] lnventors: Paul Farkas,Fair Lawn; Laszlo Hidassy,

Elizabeth, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation, Elizabeth,

[22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 75,483

52 user ..140/93.2,140/123.6 [51] llnt. C1. ..B2lt 9/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..140/93.2, 123.6, 149; 100/33 PB [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,254,680 6/1966 Caveneyet a1. ..l40/123.6 3,433,2753/1969 Eppler Rozmus ..140/93.2 6/1970 Hidassy.... .....140/93.2

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney-David Teschner and JesseWoldman [5 7] ABSTRACT 15 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDMAR 14 I9723, 648,738

SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTORS: PAUL FA RKAS 6 I BY fiZLO HIDASSY AGENTPATENTEDHAR 14 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 3 FIG. 7

INVENTORS: PAUL FARKAS LASZLO HIDASSY A GEN T PAIENTEDMARM I9723,648,738

SHEET 3 BF 3 IN'VENTORS:

//0 r 14 PAUL FARKAS BY gASZLO HIDASSY AGENT srnxr APPLYING rootBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention isdirected to the field of tools and principally to a strap tensioning andcutoff tool for use in conjunction with an article bundling strap orsimilar device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Strap tensioning and cutoff toolsaccording to the prior art generally comprised a unitary devicelimitingly adapted for use with only one particular type of bundlingstrap, wherein the strap is disposed around a bundle of wires or thelike, drawn into the tool to a predetermined tension, and the excessstrap selectively severed in a cutoff operation. In one form, asexemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,454, for a Tool, issued July 24,1967, to G. R. Lawson et al. and assigned to the assignee of the instantinvention, the tool featured a noninterchangeable strap receivingportion limitingly arranged to accept, tension, and cut off a twist-typebundling strap. In another form, as exemplified in US Pat. No.3,433,275, for a Strap Applying Tool, issued Mar. 18, 1969, to D. Epplerand assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, the tool featureda replaceable and interchangeable twister plate and registration platefor use with straps of varying dimensions, but was adaptable only to atwist-type strap, severely restricting the versatility thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to an improved straptensioning and cutoff tool which overcomes the limitations noted abovewith respect to prior art devices by providing a convenientlyinterchangeable strap receiving and cutoff assembly releasablyengageable with an extending nose portion of the tool, permitting theuse of a single tool in conjunction with a selective variation ofdifferent commonly employed bundling straps. A first selective straptwisting member having a generally cylindrically contoured radiallyslotted head portion is releasably slidably coupled to an axially androtatably movable operating member disposed within the nose portion ofthe tool. A second selective radially slotted cuplike cover member isreleasably coupled to the nose portion adjacent the free end thereof andis appropriately recessed to accept therewithin in rotatable cooperativeengagement the radially slotted head portion of the first selectivemember. In one embodiment of the invention, shear means having camengaging means coupled thereto may be operatively coupled to the firstselective member head portion adjacent the slotted portion thereof. Aselectively recessed cam portion within the second selective member maybe provided for cooperable engagement with said cam engaging meanspermitting a predetermined angular displacement of the shear means,wherein a predetermined twist may be applied to a strap disposed withinthe slot in the head portion prior to the shearing operation. In anotherembodiment, the second selective member is provided with a dimensionallyrestrictive slotted portion having inwardly converging tapered wallsterminating in a shearing edge. The head portion of a matinglycooperable first selective member is disposed directly adjacent thesecond selective member shearing edge wherein a strap inserted withinthe respective slotted portions of the first and the second selectivemembers is subjected to a shearing force immediately upon the radialaxial displacement of the head portion of the first selective member.Means are provided for interchanging the assemblies comprising eachembodiment, permitting the use of the tool with a variety of differenttypes and sizes of bundling straps. It is therefore an object of thisinvention to provide an improved strap tensioning and cutoff tool.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved straptensioning and cutoff tool adaptable for use with a variety of differenttypes and sizes of bundling straps.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improvedselectively adaptable strap tensioning and cutoff tool for tensioningand severing twist-type and locking barb-type bundling straps.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved,selectively adaptable strap tensioning and cutoff tool havingcooperable, interchangeable strap tensioning and severing assemblies.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved,selectively adaptable strap tensioning and cutoff tool havingcooperable, interchangeable strap tensioning and severing assemblies foruse with a variety of different sizes and types of bundling straps.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in thefollowing description and claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of theinvention and the best mode which has been contemplated for carrying itout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings.

FIG. I is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of the head portion of alocking-barb type bundling strap.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of the head portion of atwist-type bundling strap.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a bundling strap secured about a plurality ofconductors or the like.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the head portion of the strap ofFIG. 1 showing the body portion, in section, lockingly engagedtherewithin.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the strap of FIG. 2 showing the mannerin which the body portion is twisted to prevent its removal from theapertured head portion.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the head portion of the strap ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of thenose portion of an improved strap tensioning and cutoff tool constructedin accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a first selective member of thetool of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the concepts of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the firstselective member of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of the headportion of the first selective member of FIG. 8 rotatably engaged withina second selective member according to the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of the assemblyof FIG. 10 showing the first selective member head portion rotatablydisplaced from its position in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the noseportion of FIG. 7 in partial disassembly according to the concepts ofthe invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded side elevational view of another embodiment ofthe nose portion of an improved strap tensioning and cutoff toolconstructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of the headportion of the first selective member of the assembly of FIG. 13rotatably disposed within the second selective member thereof.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of therespective drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIG. I, there isshown the head portion 22 of one type of commonly employed bundlingstrap 20 as further described in US Pat. No. 3,186,047 for a Self-Clinching Bundling Strap, issued June 1, I965, to D. P. Schwester et al.and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, and usable inconjunction with the instant invention. Head portion 22 of strap 20 hasa transverse selectively dimensioned aperture 24 therethrough extendingfrom a rear surface 26 to a front surface 28. Extending partially intoaperture 24 is a locking means 30 disposed in oblique angularrelationship with the axis thereof and inclined generally towards frontsurface 28. In use, as is more clearly seen in FIG. 3, the body portion36 of strap is wrapped about a plurality of items such as conductors 34or the like, and the tail portion 32 inserted within aperture 24 in headportion 22 and drawn through to a predetermined'tightness, therebysecuring conductors 34 in bundle-likefashion, as shown in FIG. 3. Uponthe advance of body portion 36 within aperture 24, the protruding edge37 of locking means 30 is caused to bear against a portion of thesurface of strap 20 directly adjacent thereto, permitting the insertionof body portion 36 within aperture 24 in a first or forward direction,from surface 26 to surface 28 as shown, but lockingly engages theadjacent surface of strap 20 upon the attempted removal of body portion36 from aperture 24 in a second or rearward direction. The excessportion of strap 20 extending beyond surface 28 of head portion 22 maybe removed as by severing or the like, presenting a finished appearancegenerally as shown in FIG. 4. Various modifications of strap 20 may beemployed to effect a similar result, as, for example, forming lockingmeans 30 integral with head portion 22, or varying the position thereofwithin aperture 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown another embodiment of a bundlingstrap 38 as further described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,022,557 for a CableBundling and Supporting Strap, issued Feb. 27, 1962, to M. C. Logan andassigned to the assignee of the instant invention, and usable inconjunction with the instant invention. Head portion 40 of strap 38 hasa first transverse aperture 42 therethrough, extending between the rearsurface 46 and the front surface 48 thereof. A second transverseaperture 44 in normal axial alignment with aperture 42 extends onlypartially into head portion 40, communicating with the front surface 48thereof, as shown.

In use, strap 38 is employed in a manner similar to that described abovewith respect to strap 20, wherein body portion 50 of strap 38 is wrappedabout a plurality of conductors 34 or the like, tail portion 49 of strap38 being advanced through aperture 42 to provide a convenient graspingmeans for tightening body portion 50 about articles 34. To prevent theremoval of body portion 50 of strap 38 from aperture 42 of head portion40, the portion of strap 38 adjacent surface 48 and extending therefromis selectively rotated approximately 90 about its longitudinal axis in atwisting manner, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 5, causing the rotatedportion of strap 38 to engage and be confined within aperture 44 uponrelease of tail portion 49. The excess portion of strap 38 extendingbeyond surface 48 may then be severed by suitable cutting means, whereinthe resulting configuration is substantially as shown in FIG. 6. i 1

Turning now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, there is shown an extendingnose portion 52 of an improved strap tensioning and cutoff toolconstructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Theremaining portion of the tool to which nose portion 52 is attached maytake any one of several convenient forms which comprise no part of thisinvention and which may include suitable mechanisms for displacing androtating operating member 54, such as those described, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 3,332,454 for a Tool issued July 25, 1967, to G. R. Lawsonet al. and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention; U.S. Pat.No. 3,433,275 for a Strap Applying Tool issued Mar. 18, 1969, to D.Eppler and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention; and U.S.Pat. No. 3,438,406 for a Strap Tensioning and Locking Tool issued Apr.15, 1969, to W. J. Rozmus. Releasably slidably coupled to an elongatedoperating member 54 longitudinally disposed within nose portion 52 andaxially and rotatably movable therewithin, by means such as described inthe aforementioned patents, is a first selective twister member 56having a generally cylindrical slotted head portion 58 and a tailportion 60 extending axially from said head portion 58. The tail portion60'of first selective member 56 is disposed within a preferablyclose-fitting longitudinally aligned recessed portion 62 in operatingmember 54, said recessed portion 62 selectively proportioned for slidingengagement and retention with tail portion 60. Head portion 58 of member56 comprises, in longitudinal axial order, as better seen in FIG. 8, afirst cylindrical portion 64, a second cylindrical portion 66 preferablydiametrically larger than first portion 64, and a third cylindricalportion 68, forming a preferably integral unit. As is more clearly shownin FIG. 8, a shearing means such as knife 70 is pivotally coupled tohead portion 58 generally intermediate the first and the secondcylindrical portions 64, 66, respectively, and is movable towards andaway from a selectively contoured generally transverse strap receivingaperture 72 extending axially through head portion 58 from the firstcylindrical portion 64 to the third cylindrical portion '68. Anappropriately recessed, radially slotted, preferably cuplike secondselective member 74 is operatively disposed generally circumjacent thehead portion 58 of first selective member 56, and is releasably securedto nose portion 52 adjacent the open end 76 thereof. A portion of theperiphery of second selective member 74 is deformed radially inwardly asat 78 to releasably matingly engage a complementary recessed portion 80adjacent the open end 76 of nose portion 52 permitting second selectivemember 74 to be conveniently coupled to and uncoupled from said open end76. It should be understood that although only one means for releasablysecuring second selective member 74 to nose portion 52 is shown, othersuitable arrangements may be provided without departing from the spiritof the invention, as, for example, a ball and detent coupling, latchmeans, or mating threaded means, such arrangements being illustrativeonly and not intended to be exhaustive of the means adaptable herewith.A generally transverse radial slot 88, dimensioned to permit theunrestricted axial rotation of the body portion 50 of a strap such as 38therewithin, extends axially through second selective member 74 and islongitudinally aligned with aperture 72 in head portion 58 of firstselective member 56, thereby defining a substantially continuous strapreceiving aperture, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 7. The innersurface 82 of second selective member 74 is appropriately recessed toprovide a rotatable bearing for the first and second cylindricalportions 64, 66 respectively of head portion 58, permitting said headportion 58 to rotate freely therewithin. Extending from the outerperiphery 83 of knife 70 is a cam engaging means such as projection 84(see FIG. I0) operatively movable within a generally arcuate, angularlylimited recessed portion 86 adjacent the inner surface 82 of secondselective member 74. Thus, as may be more clearly seen in FIG. 10, ashead portion 58 is rotatably displaced within second selective member74, protrusion 84 is caused to freely arcuately traverse recess 86through a predetermined angle, in the direction indicated by arrow A inFIG. 10, whereupon protrusion 84 is urged against stop 89 defining oneend of recess 86, thus restricting any further angular movement of knife70, as head portion 58 is further rotated in said direction A, For amore complete description of the manner in which a knife such as 70 anda head portion such as 58 coact to selectively twist and shear aselective portion of a strap such as 38 interposed therebetween,reference is herein made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,454 for a Tool, issuedJuly 25, 1967, to G. R. Lawson et al. and assigned to the assignee ofthe instant invention. Thus, as described, first selective portion 58and second selective portion 74 serve to provide a cooperative,conveniently replaceable assembly usable with bundling straps such as 38or the like.

Turning now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown another embodiment of afirst selective member 90 and a second selective member 92 constructedin accordance with the concepts of the invention. Tail portion 94 offirst selective member 90 is dimensionally equivalent to tail portion 60of first selective member 56 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and is adapted to besimilarly releasably slidably engaged within recess 62 in operatingmember 54. The head portion 96 of first selective member 90 is somewhatsimilar to head portion 58 of first selective member 56, being comprisedof a first cylindrical portion 98, a second, preferably enlargedcylindrical portion 100, and a third cylindrical portion 102, saidportions 98, I00, and 102 forming a preferably integral structuresubstantially as shown. A restrictively contoured radial slot MM extendslongitudinally through head portion 96 from a front surface 106 to arear surface 1% thereof, defining a strap receiving passage for thereceipt therein of the body portion 36 of a bundling strap such as (seeFIG. ll) or the like. The second selective member 92 is disposedcircumjacent first selective member 90 in a manner similar to thatdescribed above with respect to member 74 of FIG. 7. An inwardlydeformed portion 110 adjacent the open end 112 of member 92 is arrangedto engage a mating complementary recessed portion 89 adjacent open end76 of nose portion 52, providing a releasable coupling therebetween asdescribed above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12.Other suitable means for releasably coupling second selective member 92to nose portion 52, examples of which were described above, will beapparent to those skilled in the art, and may readily be employedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. The inner surface116 of second selective member 92 is appropriately recessed, as at M8,in a manner similar to that described above with respect to member 74,to provide a bearing in which head portion 96 is free to rotate. Agenerally transverse, restrictively dimensioned radial slot 120 isprovided in second selective member 92, to permit the passagetherethrough of the free end of a strap such as 20 (see FIG. 1) as saidfree end is drawn into the strap tensioning and cutoff tool nose portion52. Slot 1120 is initially disposed in longitudinal, adjacent axialalignment with opening MM in head portion 96 of first selective member90. The walls 122 defining slot 120 in second selective member 92 tapergenerally inwardly as shown, towards inner surface 124, terminating in asharp edge formed by the communication of walls ll22 with surface ll24l,the purpose of which is described below. In operation, the free end of abundling strap such as 20 is wrapped about an article or articles to besecured and progressively inserted through slot 120 and opening W4. Apawl means such as 126 (see FIG. 7), operatively coupled to operatingmember 54 and reciprocatingly movable in nose portion 52, is caused toengage said free end of strap 20 and is retracted into nose portion 52,as directionally indicated by arrow B, in response to the axial movementof operating member 54. Upon the attainment of a selectivelypredetermined tension value in strap 26, operating member 54 is causedto rotate, and first selective member 90 being coupled thereto throughtail portion 9 t is rotationally displaced in response to the movementof operating member 54. As is more clearly seen in FIG. 14 wherein headportion 96 of first selective member 90 is shown angularly displacedfrom its initial position, the portion of strap 20 engaged withinopening 104 is subjected to a twisting force in the direction indicatedby arrow C, causing the portion of strap 20 immediately adjacent slot120 in second selective member 92 to be urged against the previouslydescribed sharp edges adjacent slot 1120, thus severing from the bodyportion 36 thereof that portion of strap 20 extending into nose portion52 beyond slot Hi). It should be noted that both slot 120 and opening MMare restrictively dimensioned to provide a close fit about the bodyportion 36 of a bundling strap such as 20, thereby necessitating only aslight angular displacement of first selective member head portion 96 toaccomplish the severing operation, without subjecting strap 20 to anyappreciable twist. It should be understood that although a firstselective member such as 56 has been described in combination with asecond selective member such as 74, member 56 may be employed with equaleffectiveness in combination with a second selective member such as 92,where it is desired to accomplish the shearing action by means of knife70 rather than by utilization of the cutting edges adjacent slot 120 inmember 92. In such event, cam recess 86 may be appropriately modified byreducing the length thereof to provide a relatively small aperturesufficient to restrictively receive cam engaging means tM therein,wherein upon the rotation of head portion 56$, knife 70 is immediatelysubject to an inwardly directed camming action, causing it to contactthe adjacent portion of a bundling strap such as 20) interposed withinslot 72, to effect the severing thereof. Similarly, where advantageousor desirable, second selective member 74! may be effectively utilized incombination with first selective member by tapering the walls definingslot M in member 74 in a manner similar to that described with referenceto slot H20 in member 92 to provide an appropriately contoured shearingedge thereon. It should be evident that. a similar shearing edge may beprovided at the juncture formed by the communica tion of the wallsdefining slot 104 and the outer surface of first cylindrical member 99of first selective member 90. Other variations and combinations of thefirst and second selective members herein described will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, and may be readily adapted to effect thepurposes set forth above without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Further, it should be obvious to those skilled in the artthat although the embodiment of the invention has been disclosed asparticularly applicable to a strap tensioning and cutoff tool, its useis not intended to be restricted thereby.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

ll. In an article tensioning and cutoff tool of the type having agenerally elongated extending nose portion open at a first end, and agenerally elongated operating member longitudinally disposed in saidextending nose portion and axially and rotatably movable therewithin,the improvement comprising: a first selective member having a slottedhead portion disposed generally adjacent said open end of said noseportion and a tail portion extending into said nose portion; firstcoupling means for releasably slidably coupling said tail portion ofsaid first selective member to said operating member; a slotted secondselective cover member disposed circumjacent said head portion of saidfirst selective member; said head portion of said first selective membercontoured to permit the rotation thereof within said second selectivemember; and second coupling means for releasably coupling said secondselective member to said first end of said nose portion; said firstselective member and said second selective member thereby forming apredetermined selective assembly.

2. The improvement as defined in claim ll further comprising meansresponsive to the rotational movement of said operating member forshearing an article disposed in said slot in said first selective memberhead portion.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot in saidsecond selective member is so proportioned as to permit thepredetermined longitudinal axial rotation of an article insertedtherethrough.

i. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said shearing meanscomprises a blade member operatively coupled to said head portion ofsaid first selective member.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 further comprising cam engagingmeans coupled to said shearing means; and cam means in said secondselective member cooperable with said cam engaging means for selectivelyrestraining said shearing means after the rotation of said firstselective member through a predetemiined angle, whereby said shearingmeans is caused to contact and shear said article disposed in said slotin said second selective member, upon the further angular displacementof said second selective member.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said first couplingmeans is a generally longitudinally extending recessed portion in saidoperating member dimensioned to slidingly receive and engage said tailportion of said first selective member.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said second couplingmeans comprises a selectively contoured recessed portion adjacent saidfirst end of said nose portion and a mating, complementarily contouredraised portion of said second selective member adjacent said recessedportion and engageable therewith.

ii. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot in saidsecond selective member is so proportioned as to provide a relativelyclose fit about an article inserted therethrough.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 8 further comprising a cuttingedge adjacent the juncture of the walls defining said slot in saidsecond selective member and the adjoining inner surface of said secondselective member.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 9 wherein said first couplingmeans is a generally longitudinally extending recessed portion in saidoperating member dimensioned to slidingly receive and engage said tailportion of said first selective member.

11. The improvement as defined in claim 10 wherein said second couplingmeans comprises a selectively contoured recessed portion adjacent saidfirst end of said nose portion and a mating, complementarily contouredraised portion on said second selective member adjacent said recessedportion and engageable therewith.

12. The improvement as defined in claim 8 wherein said shearing meanscomprises a blade member operatively coupled to said head portion ofsaid first selective member.

13. The improvement as defined in claim 12 furthercomprising camengaging means coupled to said shearing means; and cam means in saidsecond selective member cooperable with said cam engaging means forpreventing the movement of said shearing means upon the rotation of saidfirst selective member, whereby upon the rotation of said firstselective member said shearing means contacts and shears an articledisposed in said slot.

14. The improvement as defined in claim 13 wherein said first couplingmeans is a generally longitudinally extending recessed portion in saidoperating member dimensioned to slidingly receive and engage said tailportion of said first selective member.

15. The improvement as defined in claim 14 wherein said second couplingmeans comprises a selectively contoured recessed portion adjacent saidfirst end of said nose portion and a mating, complementarily contouredraised portion on said second selective member adjacent said recessedportion and engageable therewith.

1. In an article tensioning and cutoff tool of the type having agenerally elongated extending nose portion open at a first end, and agenerally elongated operating member longitudinally disposed in saidextending nose portion and axially and rotatably movable therewithin,the improvement comprising: a first selective member having a slottedHead portion disposed generally adjacent said open end of said noseportion and a tail portion extending into said nose portion; firstcoupling means for releasably slidably coupling said tail portion ofsaid first selective member to said operating member; a slotted secondselective cover member disposed circumjacent said head portion of saidfirst selective member; said head portion of said first selective membercontoured to permit the rotation thereof within said second selectivemember; and second coupling means for releasably coupling said secondselective member to said first end of said nose portion; said firstselective member and said second selective member thereby forming apredetermined selective assembly.
 2. The improvement as defined in claim1 further comprising means responsive to the rotational movement of saidoperating member for shearing an article disposed in said slot in saidfirst selective member head portion.
 3. The improvement as defined inclaim 2 wherein said slot in said second selective member is soproportioned as to permit the predetermined longitudinal axial rotationof an article inserted therethrough.
 4. The improvement as defined inclaim 3 wherein said shearing means comprises a blade member operativelycoupled to said head portion of said first selective member.
 5. Theimprovement as defined in claim 4 further comprising cam engaging meanscoupled to said shearing means; and cam means in said second selectivemember cooperable with said cam engaging means for selectivelyrestraining said shearing means after the rotation of said firstselective member through a predetermined angle, whereby said shearingmeans is caused to contact and shear said article disposed in said slotin said second selective member, upon the further angular displacementof said second selective member.
 6. The improvement as defined in claim5 wherein said first coupling means is a generally longitudinallyextending recessed portion in said operating member dimensioned toslidingly receive and engage said tail portion of said first selectivemember.
 7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said secondcoupling means comprises a selectively contoured recessed portionadjacent said first end of said nose portion and a mating,complementarily contoured raised portion of said second selective memberadjacent said recessed portion and engageable therewith.
 8. Theimprovement as defined in claim 2 wherein said slot in said secondselective member is so proportioned as to provide a relatively close fitabout an article inserted therethrough.
 9. The improvement as defined inclaim 8 further comprising a cutting edge adjacent the juncture of thewalls defining said slot in said second selective member and theadjoining inner surface of said second selective member.
 10. Theimprovement as defined in claim 9 wherein said first coupling means is agenerally longitudinally extending recessed portion in said operatingmember dimensioned to slidingly receive and engage said tail portion ofsaid first selective member.
 11. The improvement as defined in claim 10wherein said second coupling means comprises a selectively contouredrecessed portion adjacent said first end of said nose portion and amating, complementarily contoured raised portion on said secondselective member adjacent said recessed portion and engageabletherewith.
 12. The improvement as defined in claim 8 wherein saidshearing means comprises a blade member operatively coupled to said headportion of said first selective member.
 13. The improvement as definedin claim 12 further comprising cam engaging means coupled to saidshearing means; and cam means in said second selective member cooperablewith said cam engaging means for preventing the movement of saidshearing means upon the rotation of said first selective member, wherebyupon the rotation of said first selective member said shearing meanscontacts and shears an article disposed in said slot.
 14. Theimprovement as defined in claim 13 wherein said first coupling means isa generally longitudinally extending recessed portion in said operatingmember dimensioned to slidingly receive and engage said tail portion ofsaid first selective member.
 15. The improvement as defined in claim 14wherein said second coupling means comprises a selectively contouredrecessed portion adjacent said first end of said nose portion and amating, complementarily contoured raised portion on said secondselective member adjacent said recessed portion and engageabletherewith.